South Africa v New Zealand, 2016

At Centurion, August 27-30, 2016. South Africa won by 204 runs. Toss: New Zealand.
After the Durban damp it was a relief that Centurion served up decent weather for a Test which South Africa won to pinch the series. The conditions nonetheless played a part: the pitch was juicier than usual, and the grass cover generous, while indentations created on the first day made for uneven bounce which became more exaggerated.

It was hardly surprising Williamson chose to bowl. Boult seamed some deliveries so much they looked like illusions, but he and the other fast bowlers also served up too many half-volleys, while short balls sat up, demanding to be cut or pulled. The opening stand was worth 100 by lunch, and - for only the second time - South Africa's top five all reached fifty. A total of 58 fours and three sixes between them was evidence of too many bad balls, though Wagner, born in nearby Pretoria, finished with five for 86. South Africa did have the rub of the green: video analysis revealed they played and missed on 56 occasions - around three times the average, according to New Zealand's coach Mike Hesson.

On the second day, du Plessis grafted to a six-hour century, ensuring a formidable total. South Africa never accelerated, plugging away at around three an over, because they knew how precious every run was - and how unpredictable the pitch would become. When the declaration finally arrived after tea, most locals believed the only remaining question was the size of South Africa's victory.

New Zealand were soon in trouble at 26 for three, with Taylor's departure (to Bavuma's direct hit after running back from short leg) ending a sequence of 367 runs without dismissal. Williamson showed exemplary technique and judgment for almost five hours, and Nicholls also battled well, but others were less willing to get into line. Everyone was hit on the body or hands as New Zealand were all out 267 behind, though the follow-on was rejected: du Plessis was not going to risk batting last, especially with Steyn and Philander returning from long-term injuries.

South Africa's second innings started in unprecedented fashion, as de Kock hit his first four balls to the boundary, off Boult. He was the first wicketkeeper to open for them in a Test since Denis Lindsay in 1965, after Dean Elgar injured his ankle the day before the match. But things soon returned to normal and, with edges grasped and lbws upheld (Duminy went this way for the 19th time in 47 Test innings, a record percentage), it was soon 47 for four. Bavuma applied himself well, his unbeaten 40 occupying 173 minutes.

The eventual declaration set New Zealand 400, or an even unlikelier 140-odd overs to survive. Their slim chances of doing either disappeared when both openers fell to their first ball in the first over, from Steyn: Latham played on trying to shoulder arms, then Guptill edged to first slip. Soon it was seven for four, undercutting their 14 for four against England at Auckland in 1954-55 (when they were all out for 26). Despite a character building 76 from Nicholls and an obdurate 32 from Watling, the end came with over a day to spare, Steyn finishing with five for 33. "It wasn't really a fair contest," he said.

"The ball which got Taylor rolled, and Latham's was heading for his throat off a good length." Richard Illingworth, the third umpire, also had a busy match. In all, 17 decisions were referred for review: South Africa had five of eight overturned, New Zealand two of nine. The tourists were unhappy that Latham's first-innings caught-behind was upheld, despite no sound or visible deviation. South Africa's win was their 17th in 22 Tests at Centurion, a record (77%) for any venue staging 20 or more matches.
Man of the Match: Q. de Kock.